Just then my savior in khakis came through the door. "Hi, Dave," Trevor said. "I'm here to see my mom.""Hi, Trevor. How are you? Your mother's in the banquet hall." It was the first time in my life I was happy to be by Trevor's side.
We made our way down the orange-and-brown-patterned carpeted corridor. Unoriginal, hotel-inspiredan lined the green painted walls.
Mrs. Mitchell was opening a cardboard box when she noticed Trevor walk in. She beamed as she stood up,then frowned when she saw me enter the room behind her son.
"Are you in trouble?" It was her first reaction.
"Raven wants to place something in the auction."
"Hello, Matt, Becky…Raven."
"Hello, Mrs. Mitchell," we responded. Mrs. Mitchell was like the teacher students dreaded having-chummy with those who excelled and short with those who didn't.
"That's very nice of you to help outyour …" She hesitated,then glared at me. "…friends ."
She, like Trevor, was skeptical that I was capable of participating in a high-society Dullsville auction.
She tried hard to hide her contempt for me. But it was clear she didn't think I had anything of value to sell.
"This isn't for a school project, is it?" she asked. "This is an adult auction for collectors. We aren't auctioning off papier-mache penguins made in art class."
"No," I said in my politest voice. Normally, I would say something snotty, but Alexander and the Mansion^fate were on the line. So I kissed up to her like she had never been kissed up to before.
"We are studying careers in English class and I thought what better way to see a successful woman than to watch her up close? Not only will I see how you organize this event, but I'll be able to see how an auction really works."
"Well.,.I had no idea" Mrs . Mitchell said, suddenly bright and charming. "What would you like to auction?""Paintings.""From your father's collection? Is it an artist we know?"
I was afraid to tell her they were from a teen vampire.
"No.A young European talent."
"European?"Mrs. Mitchell asked, her eyes almost popping out of her head. "It would be nice to showcase someone on the rise. Of course, I'd need to see it first."
"Someone will bring it by," I chimed in.
"Good. Then fill out this form. And bring the artwork to me by the middle of the week-no later than five o'clock."
"That's it?" Trevor asked on my behalf.
"That's it. Ill set aside an area just for you."
"Thanks," I said.
"Why don't you stay and I can show you the real behind-the-scenes goings-on in event planning. It might help you with your report. Then I can run you home afterward."
"That's okay, Mom," Trevor interjected before I could. "I have to take her back before soccer practice tonight."
"Well then. Remember, all pieces need to be checked in before five."
Alexander wouldn't be able to drop the paintings off before sunset. And how was I going to lug all his artwork there on my bike? We'd have to find someone strong and not bound by the curfew of daylight.
I just hoped Jameson had developed some muscles from vacuuming.
"I'll drop you two off first. Then I'll take Raven home," Trevor told us when we raced out of the club parking lot. At this point I wished I had stayed with his mother and rode home with her.
"Oh, that's okay. I'm going to Raven's house," Becky said.
Trevor's expression turned from triumph to torment. He dropped Matt off in silence and didn't speak the rest of theway, He barely let us out before he sped away.
"I owe you big-time, Becky," I said when we were safely on the sidewalk.
Unlike Becky, I didn't have my own truck. "Want to ride on the handlebars or the seat?
"How about I wait for Matt to come back and pick me up?" she suggested. "Then you can avoid leg cramps."
We sat down on the front steps. "I can tell you whose paintings are going to be put up on the auction block," I began.
Becky's face sparkled. "Whose?"
"It's a total colossal secret."
"Are there any other kind?"
"Not even Matt can know."
She paused."Forever?"
"No, just until the auction is over."
"I can totally do that."
She leaned in close.
And I said in my softest voice, "The paintings I'm auctioning off are Alexander's."
"That's awesome!" she declared. "But why is it a secret?"
"Because we don't want anyone to know he's the artist. We're afraid that no one will buy them if they know they're from a teenager. And one that lives in the Mansion."
"I see your point. But what will you do with the money?"
"This is an even bigger secret. We plan to buy the Mansion."
It wasn't long before Matt pulled into the driveway.
"What's up?"